Chapter 11

CHELSEA'S POV

I was surprised to hear that someone had gotten higher marks than me. When Mr. Smith congratulated Marcus. I was astonished and I stared at him in surprise.

He was a bad boy, good looking and smart that was definitely a dangerous combination.

My mini me cheered happily.

"We found our perfect match M.A.R.C.U.S!"

she yelled and threw up pink pom-poms in the air excitedly and did a split with a big grin plastered on her face.

I closed my eyes and shut her off.

She's had enough excitement for one day once Mr. Smith left and I turned to Marcus, our eyes locked and I gave him a small smile.

"Congratulations you deserve it" I said sincerely and he gave me a stern nod and fixed his gaze on his results.

"Thanks Chelsea."

Mr. Smith wrote some notes on the board and I took out my notebook and began scribbling my handwriting in it.

I stared at Marcus through my lashes monitoring his facial expressions and he looked pretty much disturbed. And I couldn't understand why. He had gotten very good marks if I was him I would be beyond happy and my parents would be so proud of me.

I'll talk to him later.

Thirty minutes later class was over.

Should I ask him? I wondered curiously.

His head was yet buried again in a novel and I hastily tapped his book with my fingers and got his attention.

He placed his book down with a frown on his face.

"What is it Chlsea."

Jeez I was in trouble.

"Sorry to disturb you Marcus but can ask you something?"

He sighed deeply and nodded.

"So why aren't you happy about your grades?" I curiously asked fidgeting with my fingers nervously when he gave me a puzzled look like I was out of my mind.

His frown deepened and I swallowed hard.

"What made you think that I wasn't happy?" He asked instead and I had to explain my dumb silly theories.

I gave him a nervous laugh.

"Okay well for starters you didn't smile instead you looked sad and angry. Hasn't your mother ever told you that a smile always brightens one's day."

His face hardened and his jaw clenched.

"My mother died seven years ago."

And my face went pale.

"Marcus I'm so sorry I didn't-" his eyes challenged mine and I kept quiet.

"It doesn't matter," he said harshly and packed his novel.

I nodded and looked away.

It didn't mean to hurt him. I would be very sad if my mother had died so I won't blame Marcus for his sour moods because he misses her terribly.

My mom has always been there for me and I couldn't picture life without her in it.i recalled dad's word's again.

"His past is filled with blood."

My and I connected the dots.

If it's filled with blood then I'm sure it must be his mother's death and if it's blood filled that means that she was murdered.

My mind instantly flooded with infinite questions about her death.

Before I could open my mouth the next teacher walked in it was time to learn math, my favourite subject.

And decided that it was better to reserve my question I'll ask him after school. I took out my book and started writing the examples on the chalkboard.

I spared one last glance at the mysterious bad boy beside me and sighed deeply.

Marcus was only grumpy because he had lost his mother when he was just a kid. I'm sure that her death had quite a big impact on him.

He caught me staring at him like a fascinating specimen and I quickly looked away. My cheeks turned pink and I bit my lower lip.

He definitely saw me and now he'll think that I'm checking him out like I have a crush on him.

After the fourth class the school bell rang loudly indicating that it was lunch time and good thing that I had carried mom's famous homemade lasagna.

It smelled heavenly.

Marcus got up and took his bag heading outside. I packed my books and followed him.

I searched around the hallway but I couldn't find him. I'm sure that he must be outside.

A few minutes later I went outside and found him alone sitting under a big oak tree reading his history book.

No wonder he gets good grades.

MARCUS'S POV

Every muscle inside my body twitched with anger when Chelsea mentioned my mother this morning.

It brought back painful memories of her death and I didn't want to relieve them again especially after the nightmare I had this morning.

My world was simply just messed up. Sometimes I wish I had also died that day. At least I would have my mother by my side. It's been seven years and I've turned out to be the worst definition of human compassion.

The definition of perfect just made me skin crawl and I hated feeling this way.

My grades were always on top and I was always the best student in class but my so called father never really cared about what I did or achieved in life.

Because to him I was still a disappointment and if I recall correctly I wasn't his son.

His words still sliced my heart painfully; he had rejected me in front of the whole world.

And I hated him more than anything.

Ever since I was a kid I craved for a father and when I needed him the most he was an absentee father.

I guess he preferred his other kids more. I was only without a father in my life. And during middle school father and son competitions I was always alone.

I never bothered my mother about my depression. The last thing I wanted to do was worry about me but now she is gone.

And this is the time I needed her the most because I was alone in this world and I had on one to guide me when I was lost.

A shadow fell across my face and I hastily looked up. I scoffed angrily when I found Chlsea staring at me like a lost kitten.

"Are you following me?" I asked curiously.

She smiled and sat beside me leaning against the tree trunk.

"No I'm not."

She sighed deeply and closed her eyes.

CHELSEA'S POV

I wasn't acting like a stalker. I was just concerned about his well being.

Plus he's the only friend I have right now even if he won't admit that we are friends.

"Are you following me?" He asked curiously and I smiled and slumped beside him leaning against the tree trunk to support my back.

"No I'm not."

I sighed deeply and closed my eyes. The atmosphere just felt peaceful and calm. It made my body feel relaxed.

"Chelsea."

I opened one eye and smiled.

"Hmmm…" I murmured coolly.

"I'm being serious, stop joking," he said in a warning tone.

I sat upright and opened my eyes giving him my full attention.

"Yeah so what's wrong?" I asked curiously.

"Why are you even here?

I cocked a brow at him.

"You don't want me here," I said softly.

He shook his head negatively.

"That's not what I meant, don't twist my words."

A smile curved my lips.

"So you want me here right?" I pressed and he chuckled lightly.

"Yes I want you here but answer my question."

I sighed deeply.

"I'm here because everyone needs someone to talk to Marcus. I know that you want to be alone but sometimes it's not always good to be alone, it only encourages the dark forces inside us to get worse."

He nodded sadly.

I opened my lunch box and split my food in half.

"Here let's share."

Our eyes locked and he gave me a puzzled look. And stared at me like I was an alien from another planet.

I saw his hesitation.

"Come on Marcus I have plenty to eat and I know that you're hungry."

He hastily reached for the food and began to eat it slowly.

"Thanks" he muttered quietly and I smiled.

I had a feeling that it was the beginning of a new friendship.